Canada Research Chair (NSERC TII) Biomedical Image Processing

College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Applications are invited for a Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Biomedical Image Analysis funded through the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada. The Canada Research Chairs program ( http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/ ) stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development. Tier II positions are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. Due to the strategic importance of these positions, CRC appointees at the University of Saskatchewan ( http://www.usask.ca ) benefit from support spanning the federal, provincial and institutional levels. The proposed CRC in Biomedical Image Analysis is a reflection of the commitment of the University to continue to enhance its strength in the area of biomedical imaging. The University is home to Canada`s national synchrotron facility, the Canadian Light Source (CLS; http://www.lightsource.ca ), which houses the Biomedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) and Biological X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (BioXAS) beamline facilities. These powerful imaging facilities combined with the diverse resources of the University of Saskatchewan (see below) will afford the successful candidate an unparalleled opportunity to develop a world-class research program at the cutting edge of biomedical image analysis.

In addition to the CLS, the University of Saskatchewan presently hosts a unique health science cluster, incorporating the College of Medicine, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Engineering, and College of Arts and Science. These resources are being augmented by the establishment of the Saskatchewan Centre for Innovation in Cyclotron Science in support of a new PET imaging facility. The University has strong local linkages to other health resources including the Saskatoon Cancer Centre and the Saskatoon Health Region. It is anticipated that the Chair will establish extensive local research links, especially within the Computer Sciences community and will benefit from access to the substantial resources available and the diversity of imaging modalities available. Specific areas of local research strength include reproductive imaging, bone and joint imaging, imaging applications in tissue engineering, and gene expression imaging with synchrotron light. The established research groups working in these areas will provide an excellent collaborative environment, facilitating access to both expertise and an impressive array of biomedical imaging technology. As Tier II CRC positions are intended to support emerging leaders, candidates must be within 10 years of acquiring a PhD to qualify. The successful candidate will be appointed at an academic rank commensurate with their qualifications and experience within the College of Medicine (www.medicine.usask.ca). While the chair will be positioned within the College of Medicine, highly qualified candidates from all relevant backgrounds (e.g. computer science, engineering, physics, biomedical sciences, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should send a current CV, letter of introduction, contact information for three referees, and a summary of future research plans in confidence to: Dr. Nicholas Ovsenek, Associate Dean Biomedical Sciences and Graduate Studies, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, B103 Health Sciences Building, Saskatoon, SK, CANADA S7N 5E5. For more information, e-mail nick.ovsenek@usask.ca or call 1-306-966-1460. Applications are currently open and will be reviewed beginning December 15, 2011.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Saskatchewan is committed to Employment Equity. Members of designated groups (women, Aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities and visible minorities) are encouraged to apply.